Safeguarding Policy

Our organisation only works with adults, most of whom live independently. We recognise that it is important that we comply with best practices and welcome input from members, volunteers and organisations on all areas of our operation.
Our current safeguarding policy is as follows:

Safeguarding Adults –

‘Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances.

Visa-gb values are underpinned by these safeguarding policy commitments.

Visa-gb Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring a continual improvement in safeguarding practice and to support this have endorsed the policy commitments:

Promoting a safe and trusted environment and a culture that prioritises safeguarding.

All Visa-gb volunteers and trustees will respect adults at risk and promote their well-being first and foremost.

Visa-gb will strive to create and maintain environments which are safe for everyone who has dealings with Visa-gb. This will be achieved by:

• Volunteer training;

• effective communication;

• organisational learning,

• monitoring events, meetings and communication to ensure good practice is maintained at all times.

Visa-gb will train all volunteers and trustees in working to this policy by challenging poor practices and reporting all safeguarding concerns and abuse to the nominated trustee.

Trustees: Safeguarding role and responsibilities
Trustees must take reasonable steps to protect those connected with Visa-gb from harm. This includes:

• people who benefit from Visa-gb activities

• volunteers

• other people connected to Visa-gb activities.

‘Any failure by trustees to manage safeguarding risks adequately would be a serious regulatory concern to the Charity Commission who may consider misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of Visa-gb and may be a breach of trustee duty’. Trustees can be held responsible for any consequences or loss that Visa-gb incurs if they have not followed their duties.
Visa-gb Trustees will ensure:

• there is a clear line of responsibility for and reporting to them safeguarding matters;

• that safeguarding practice complies with statutory and national guidance and local best practices;

• the reporting procedures to deal with safeguarding concerns and allegations are clear and easy to follow;

• roles and responsibilities are explicitly outlined and clear to all attending a Visa-gb event.

• Any failures by any person connected with Visa-gb to follow the safeguarding policy and procedures will be dealt with as a serious matter;

• there is a culture of learning from poor practice;

• there is a clear recruitment procedure in place which is linked to the wider safeguarding process;

• Effective and ongoing appropriate safeguarding training for all Visa-volunteers and trustees, is provided when needed;

• Effective and accurate record keeping in accordance with GDPR 2018 and;

• serious incidents are reported to the Charity Commission in accordance with their statutory obligations.

Visa-gb Safeguarding Officer, David Thompson, can be contacted on 07736 300875 or by email at: safeguarding@visa-gb.org.uk.  All reports and information are treated as strictly confidential.

The Trustees of Visa-gb confirm that the Visually Impaired Sailing Association abides and complies with the RYA safeguarding for adults policy,

Open the RYA Safe Adults Safeguarding PDF:  Open PDF Document

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